178 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



this country, not only in tliG quantity but in the quality of it ; 

 for there is no crop which can be so much increased in value by 

 careful cultivation and handling. In Rensselaer, Washington, 

 and other counties in New York, it has for the last thirty 

 years been raised not only for the seed, but also for the lint 

 which is scutched in mills. In Ohio, and other parts of the 

 West, it has been raised for seed»very extensively, and fitful 

 efforts have been made to save the lint, but in many cases only 

 in a t'angled condition and fit only for upholsterers' use, the 

 manufacture of ball rope, flax cotton, fibrilla and other inferior 

 uses. 



The greatest want felt by the farmer of Worcester County, 

 who raises flax, is the means of scutching it. This is done when 

 flax is extensively cultivated, in flax mills, and the owners are 

 termed mill men, who buy the flax of the farmers in the straw, 

 paying a certain price per ton after it is rotted, or paying an 

 agreed price per acre for the use of the land, the farmer ploughing, 

 manuring and harrowing it, and making it ready for the seed. 

 Here his labor ends. It is desirable that one or more mills 

 should be established in each town ; and in this respect Mr. 

 Kimball, of Brookfield, has set a laudable example, as he has 

 not only raised his flax but has set up a flax mill. The power 

 required for driving one break and one set of knives, is about 

 twelve horse. It is also used for getting out the seed. 



The seed end of the flax is passed between two rollers, which 

 crush the bolls, and the seed drops out below. 



In conclusion, your committee would express the hope that 

 at no distant day flax will again, as in former years, form a 

 part of every New England farmer's crop, thus adding an 

 important item to his income, besides conducing to the public 

 welfare. 



Presented by 



Henry H. Stevens, for the Committee. 



Statement of Aaro7i Kimball. 

 The following is a statement of the expense and the product 

 of l36 square rods of ground sown with flax by me in 1862 : — 



Dr. 

 To Ploughing ground, . . . . $2 00 



Harrowing, " .... 2 00 



